WHYN Local News

DRIVING FEES HIGHER

It may soon cost more in Massachusetts to renew a driver's license, register a car, or conduct other business at the Registry of Motor Vehicles. State officials will seek to raise Registry fees by 10 percent on July 1 to fill a $53 million gap in the state Department of Transportation's operating budget. Dana Levenson, the department's chief financial officer, tells The Boston Globe many of the Registry fees incurred most often by customers have not increased since 2008. The Registry brings in about $550 million per year. If that can grow by 10 percent the department can close the budget gap. Money is needed because of a new law that requires the agency to stop paying employee salaries on credit and include the pay in the yearly operating budget.